| pH
is the measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration in a particular
medium such as water, soil, or nutrient solution. More simply,
it refers to the acidity or alkalinity of that medium. PH is measured
on a scale ranging from 0- 14, with 7 being neutral, above 7,
alkaline and below 7, acidic.
The
pH of a medium or nutrient solution is important to plant growth.
Each plant has a preferred pH range. PH ranges beyond the preferred
for a given plant may cause stunted growth or even death.
Very
low pH (< 4.5) or high pH (> 9.0) can severely damage
plant roots and have detrimental effects on plant growth.
As
the pH level changes, it directly affects the availability of
nutrients. The majority of nutrients are available to a plant
at a pH range of 6.0 -7.5. Somewhere within that range is the
ideal pH level for most plants. When pH levels are extremely
high or extremely low, the nutrients become "locked"
in solution and unavailable to the plant. At extremely low pH
levels some micro-nutrients, such as manganese, may be released
at toxic levels.
The
newer and more popular growing mediums like perlite, rockwool
and expanded clay have a
neutral pH and will not alter your nutrient solution. Peat moss,
saw dust, vermiculite and some of the other materials that have
been used for hydroponic growing in the past are often unstable
and will alter the pH of your nutrient solution.
The
pH of your nutrient solution should be checked when you first
mix it and then checked every few days when it is in your hydroponic
reservoir.
Three
common methods of testing your pH:
Litmus
Paper: Simply dip the end of the paper into the solution
to be tested and then compare the color of the litmus paper
(which will have changed when dipped into the solution) to the
color on the pH chart to determine the pH.
pH Test Kit: Take a sample of your solution
in a vial and add several drops of the pH indicator. The sample
will change color and can then be compared to the pH chart.
pH
Test Pen:
pH Pen or Meter. Simply dip the end of the pen, or the probe
on a pH meter into the solution and it gives you a digital reading
of the pH.
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